I glare at him. “Well deserved,” I snap.
I go to my bag and start rattling through it.
“What are you looking for?” he asks.
“My phone.”
“It’s here on the bench.”
I quickly dial Abbie’s number. “Hi Abbs.”
“Hi chick.” She says cheerfully.
“You need to get over here immediately.”
“I’m at work, what’s up?”
“TC has just been found dead and your and Bridget’s fingerprints are all over her place.”
She goes silent.
“Did you hear me?”
“Shit,” she whispers. “On my way.”
Adrian
I sit at my desk, deep in thought. This whole blackmail thing is totally out of control and now the stupid girls have got involved it could bring us all undone. I have to ask the question-it’s been playing on my mind. Yet do I really want to know the answer? Ben and Joshua walk in and take a seat at the desk.
“What’s up?” Joshua asks.
“You know I love you guys, right?” I sigh.
Joshua frowns in a question.
“I have to ask this. Did you two have anything to do with that hooker’s death?”
Ben and Joshua look at each other and then back at me.
“No,” they both reply.
My eyes hold theirs. “Did you think about it?”
They look at each other again.
“Maybe,” Joshua replies.
I put my hand over my mouth and close my eyes. I knew it.
“We would never have actually done it,” Ben replies. “It was just a thought.”
“Have you two gone totally insane? Why would you even think that?”
Joshua shrugs. “I told you I would do anything to keep the tape from Natasha.”
I shake my head. “Ben, will you please start thinking for Joshua because where Natasha is concerned he does not have one brain cell.”
They both smile. “We have clearance to leave Australia. It came through this morning,” Ben replies. “I know you don’t want this, Joshua, but Abbie and Bridget will have to come back to LA with us until they catch who did this.”
Joshua shakes his head in frustration. “They will not be fingerprinted here.”
Ben shakes his head. “And what if they are and convicted of murder when they were only trying to help you out? How will you feel then?”
“Idiots,” Joshua snaps.
I smile broadly. “What’s wrong Stan? Are the girls going to crash the slumber party you have planned?”
He narrows his eyes. “They are actually,” he murmurs.
“What if they won’t go?” I ask.
“I’m not giving them a choice,” Ben replies. “This isn’t a joke, this is serious now. They have put us all under a cloud.”
Joshua shakes his head in disgust. “Let them know.”
Natasha
Joshua lies on my bed as I pack the last of my wardrobe. “Why are you bothering packing everything anyway? Just buy new things when you get there.”
I look at him deadpan. “Is that what you do?”
He shrugs. “I have a full wardrobe at Willowvale and one for LA. That way I don’t need to pack when I go.”
“So will I wear my jodhpurs in LA?” I ask a little too sweetly as I bat my eyelids.
“You do know that you are learning to ride,” he replies matter-of-factly.
I raise my eyebrows. “Pfff, as if.” I continue folding. “I hate horses … and vets. I really hate vets with a passion.” I widen my eyes to accentuate my point.
He quickly scrambles to change the subject. “I’m glad your mother is coming over in a month.”
My heart drops. “I’m more worried about Mum than ever. At least before she had Bridget and Abbie to keep her company but now they are coming she will be left here alone.” I keep folding the clothes and putting them in the suitcase.
He smiles sadly. “She can come too. I told you that.”
“She won’t. I’ve been trying to persuade her all week.” I sigh.
I blow out a breath and walk back into the wardrobe.
“Hurry up. I’m hungry,” Joshua calls.